This summer at Howard University, a unique and powerful movement is underway. Dozens of Black high school-aged young men from across the DMV, Roanoke, and New York City have gathered for six weeks not just to learn about careers in health and medicine—but to become part of a life-changing brotherhood.
They are members of the Young Doctors Project (YDP)—a transformative initiative founded in 2012 by Dr. Malcolm Woodland and Dr. Torian Easterling. The mission: to empower Black boys through mentorship, education, and community service, cultivating future leaders in medicine and beyond.
A Vision Born From Community and Concern
The idea for YDP was sparked by Woodland’s observation of deep intergenerational bonds in his Anacostia community. As a licensed psychologist and Howard alum, he saw the potential in turning beloved local youth into health ambassadors. With Easterling, he built a program rooted in service and mentorship, aiming to address health disparities while opening doors for young Black men.
“Did you know the number one predictor of whether someone gets into medical school is if their parents are doctors?” Woodland said. “So for us, this program is about having someone in your corner who’s walked that walk.”
The ultimate goal is to create a new kind of pipeline: one that replaces the school-to-prison pipeline with a path to education, health careers, and community leadership.
A Multi-Layered Program of Impact
Backed by Howard University’s Department of Psychology and its Colleges of Dentistry and Medicine, YDP is more than just a summer program. It includes:
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A six-week summer residential institute
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Saturday academies during the school year
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Hands-on health clinics led by participants
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College tours introducing students to medical schools and academic pathways
All of this is 100% free, with full coverage for travel, meals, housing, and supplies.
From Uncertainty to Leadership
For Kasein Tate, a D.C. native and now Morehouse-bound future cardiologist, YDP changed everything.
“I wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do after high school,” he said. “I always liked science and math, and when I heard about YDP, it clicked.”
Initially shy and reserved due to post-COVID anxiety, Kasein credits the YDP community for helping him come out of his shell. In June, at the program’s 13th Annual White Coat Ceremony, Kasein was honored with the Young Doc of the Year Award—voted on by both peers and mentors.
The event, held at the Association of American Medical Colleges headquarters, is the emotional highlight of the program each year.
“The ceremony sells the program for everyone who comes,” said Easterling. “When those young men put on their white coats, you see them sit up straighter. You see parents in tears. That’s when people really understand what we’re doing.”
A Ripple of Confidence and Purpose
For Phillip St. Vil Jr., a rising high school senior, the program has not only changed his outlook but elevated his sense of self-worth.
“When we go to health fairs in our white coats, people clap and ask for pictures,” he said. “It makes me feel important. It shows that what we’re doing matters.”
The impact of YDP goes beyond self-esteem. The program boasts a 91% college enrollment rate, a striking success that reflects the care, planning, and mentorship provided. Still, Woodland remains focused on the 9% who haven’t made it to college.
“That 9% really bothers me,” he said. “With more resources, we could meet the needs of those kids. I want to get to 100%.”
Built on Love and Intentionality
What makes YDP stand out isn’t just the results—it’s the intention behind the work. Doctors, educators, and community leaders volunteer their time, often unpaid, because they believe in the mission and the potential of each young man.
Dr. Raymond Young, a board-certified cardiologist and D.C. native, joined the mentorship team after hearing Woodland speak on the radio.
“I was in traffic hearing about this amazing program,” he said. “It felt wrong not to be involved.”
That spirit of selfless giving is what participants like Kasein recognize most.
“These doctors don’t get paid. They give up their summers for us,” he said. “It’s not just a job to them. They truly care.”
The Future Is Expanding
YDP’s founders are dreaming big. With chapters in Washington, D.C., New York, and Roanoke, and plans underway for a Seattle location, the vision of a national pipeline is taking shape.
“I want YDP to be an institution,” said Woodland. “I want it to exist when I’m long gone. I want chapters in every city. I want Black boys to have safe spaces for intellectual growth.”
That dream is becoming a reality. At this year’s White Coat Ceremony, alumni returned—not just to celebrate, but to mentor the next generation. The cycle of empowerment continues.
A Brotherhood Like No Other
For participants, the lessons in anatomy, public health, and medicine are powerful—but the relationships built through YDP are just as life-changing.
“Thank you isn’t enough,” said Phillip. “There’s no program like this anywhere else. It’s a blessing.”
In a world where Black boys often face limited opportunities, the Young Doctors Project offers them something rare and invaluable: a vision of themselves as healers, leaders, and scholars, wrapped in the embrace of community, mentorship, and brotherhood.
As Woodland says, “Medicine is just the hook. It’s really about building a better future—together.”
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